Chapter 412 Large-Scale Investments, Important Connections!
With abundant funds now at his disposal, Lin Haoran no longer needed to be cautious in his investment strategies.
Moving forward, besides investing in Walmart shares, Lin Haoran instructed Su Zhixue to select team members and organize multiple teams.
Each team would be responsible for a specific target.
These targets included Intel, Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Citibank, Chevron Corporation, and others.
Intel needed no further explanation.
At the moment, its market value was low and its presence in the U.S. stock market was almost negligible.
Although renowned in the semiconductor industry, Intel was barely profitable — in fact, it was recording losses year after year.
In the 1970s and early 1980s, the entire American tech sector was underwhelming.
Companies like Intel, Kodak, Xerox — all household names — saw their stock prices severely underperform the broader market.
While other sectors were booming, tech stocks seemed stuck in a bear market, rising and falling unpredictably.
Thus, Intel's current valuation was very low — it wasn't even among the top 100 U.S. companies by market cap.
Yet Lin Haoran knew very well that by 1999, Intel would boast a market cap exceeding $500 billion, becoming a true world giant.
It was only in the 21st century that Intel began losing its edge, with its market value slowly declining.
But that had nothing to do with Lin Haoran.
He was only concerned with the next twenty years.
Thus, Intel was undoubtedly a highly worthwhile investment at this moment.
Now, while everyone else was disappointed in Intel, he would quietly accumulate shares — the timing couldn't have been better!
As for Coca-Cola — no need to elaborate.
Warren Buffett had famously made a fortune investing in Coca-Cola, especially during the 1980s and 1990s.
As the number one consumer goods stock, Coca-Cola was an excellent company, and absolutely a priority for Lin Haoran's portfolio.
ExxonMobil, after the recent oil crisis, had seen its market value soar past $20 billion, making it one of America's top three listed giants, trailing only AT&T and IBM.
Lin Haoran understood clearly:
ExxonMobil's value would continue to grow steadily in the future.
While many former corporate giants faded over time — like Fairchild Semiconductor —
ExxonMobil remained at the top of the U.S. corporate pyramid, even becoming the world's largest company by market cap in the early 21st century.
Although tech companies would eventually surpass it, ExxonMobil's revenue and profits would remain formidable.
As for investing in Citibank, the reason was simple: connections.
Lin Haoran needed deep ties in the U.S. financial world.
With Citibank's support — and by extension, backing from American financial elites —
he could thrive in America despite being a foreigner.
Although he already had a good relationship with Citibank, it was still based on mutual interests.
If he could become a major shareholder of Citibank — even join its board of directors —
it would solidify his position dramatically.
Then, when Squid Capital eventually tried to control Citibank, Lin Haoran would have a vote — and the power to resist.
Lin Haoran provided Su Zhixue with a list of more than a dozen companies to target.
Except for Citibank, all these companies shared a common trait:
Their future market caps would be astronomical, with unimaginable growth.
As for Citibank, though its future returns wouldn't be as explosive, it remained a very solid investment.
Why not focus all his investments on a single company?
Simple.
Given his current financial strength, Lin Haoran could easily take over a company outright.
But he didn't want that.
He simply wanted to invest, make money quietly, and not disrupt these companies' natural development.
Because if he interfered too much, the companies' future paths might change — and he couldn't predict the consequences.
Thus, it was best to invest passively, quietly holding shares without interference.
Moreover, diversifying his investments helped spread risk.
Even if one or two companies were affected by his involvement, surely not all would be.
Seeing Universal Investment Company's U.S. branch gradually stabilizing, Lin Haoran was very satisfied.
He had checked everyone's loyalty ratings — all were excellent.
Even if some weren't personally loyal to him, they were loyal to the company — which was enough.
Time flew by, and soon it was December 20th.
As Lin Haoran had predicted, Apple's total market value peaked at around $3 billion, then plateaued.
Over the past two days, the stock price had even slipped slightly, bringing the market cap down to around $2.8 billion.
Thus, Lin Haoran's earlier decision to sell at a valuation equivalent to $3.25 billion was proven wise.
Now, Apple's stock price had nothing to do with him.
Even if it crashed tomorrow, it wouldn't affect him one bit.
The transaction with the Morton family had been widely reported across the U.S. and Hong Kong.
The New York Times even did a special feature on him.
Lin Haoran's fame in America was soaring.
Today was Saturday — the stock market was closed.
Universal Investment Company was also closed.
Instead of going to the office, Lin Haoran spent the day leisurely, touring some of New York's famous hotels with his bodyguards in an armored Rolls-Royce.
By 6 p.m., Lin Haoran arrived at Citibank's headquarters building.
In his hand was a luxurious gold invitation.
Tonight was Citibank's annual year-end gala — an event to thank its most important clients.
Lin Haoran, with two major deals under his belt — the gold futures operation and the $3 billion Hong Kong dollar loan —
had earned his place among Citibank's VIP guests.
Moreover, given his skyrocketing fame and growing wealth, he was a prized partner Citibank was eager to cultivate.
Lin Haoran was already familiar with Citibank's headquarters — the massive skyscraper supported by towering pillars left a deep impression.
Earlier during this trip to New York, he had already visited Citibank Chairman Walter Wriston.
Tonight, as he entered the lobby, the staff barely glanced at his invitation before ushering him through — straight up to the 53rd floor.
The gala was being held on the top floor — the 53rd floor.
The 53rd floor had been transformed into an elegant reception hall.
Beautiful white-clad hostesses busily moved about, setting up an array of exquisite food and drink carts.
In one corner, a group of well-dressed white gentlemen — mostly in their forties, fifties, and sixties — were deep in conversation.
Among them, Lin Haoran spotted Walter Wriston.
When Wriston noticed him, he immediately stood up and walked briskly toward him.
"Mr. Lin, welcome to Citibank," Wriston said, warmly shaking his hand.
"Thank you, Mr. Wriston, for the invitation," Lin Haoran replied with a polite smile.
"Your presence is our honor," Wriston said enthusiastically, his eyes full of genuine admiration.
"Your investment acumen and business wisdom are already legendary. As your partner, we at Citibank are proud to work with you."
If anyone understood Lin Haoran's prowess, it was Walter Wriston.
After all, Citibank had personally witnessed Lin Haoran's stunning success —
first with gold futures, then with Apple.
Plus, Wriston knew all about Lin Haoran's victories in Hong Kong's corporate battlefield.
Thus, even though Lin Haoran was still in his twenties, Wriston respected him deeply.
Lin Haoran modestly replied,
"You flatter me, Mr. Wriston.
I was lucky to catch good opportunities — and Citibank's professional services and support were crucial to my success."
After exchanging pleasantries, Wriston invited Lin Haoran to join the group of elite guests.
They were all Citibank's most important clients, representing sectors like finance, energy, manufacturing, technology, and food.
Though Lin Haoran wasn't familiar with them yet, with Wriston's introductions, he gradually got to know them.
And these —
these were extremely valuable connections.
Though their relationship was still at an early stage, Lin Haoran understood well:
building important networks always started with getting acquainted.
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